notes / comments

[Armenian]

Re: notes / comments

I got the impression he rather enjoys the role of the misunderstood yet enlightened Armenian critic.

He's just a disgruntled freakazoid. His writings? Its all about him... Read his material and you will see for yourself.

[jgk3]

Re: notes / comments

There are different kinds of racism...

The one used by scientists in the 19th century to distinguish which ones are superior to others in their scheme of thought, and there's the "folk racism", which has existed since the dawn of man. This kind of racism is used to distinguish alien groups of people from themselves and to keep them out if they are undesired.

Hell, it probably stems from a similar need for other mammals to exclude from their clans or packs those from their species who are too different and undesired.

We can develop tolerance for those our racism can potentially victimize, but it can only go so far, so long as our natural need to attribute reasons for behavior on our unconscious stereotyping continues to remain an integral part of our human being.

Humans like to associate human traits with ethnic/cultural and/or geographical origins, I think the only way to break free from this (although perhaps momentarily) is to identify one's own potential to portray the behavior they identify with these "aliens". However, not everyone is always ready to see their potential to behave like "baboons", "cut-throats", "rats", etc... when they get these impressions from "aliens" and learn to stereotype them with these features.

[arabaliozian]

Re: notes / comments

Thursday, November 02, 2006
*******************************************
ON WISDOM, LOVE, AND
RELATED ATROCITIES
*******************************************
Men say they value knowledge over ignorance but live as though they loved ignorance more.
*
Since our ignorance far exceeds our knowledge, in whatever we say about the visible and the invisible world (the universe and god) there will be more uncertainty than certainty. Unless mankind comes to terms with this gray area of uncertainty, we shall have wars, revolutions, and massacres.
*
There is a difference between being right and being wise. Our revolutionaries at the turn of the last century were right, but were they wise?
*
Either we de-Ottomanize and de-Sovietize ourselves or we go on confusing a dehumanized existence with survival.
*
I am afraid all this talk of Turks and massacres has turned us into pillars of salt.
*
Indians believe verbal communication is not the only way to transfer wisdom, and that being in the presence of a wise man is enough to absorb wisdom by spiritual osmosis. Perhaps our problems stem from the fact that for six hundred years we kept the wrong company.
*
One doesn’t fall in love with a person, one falls in love with an image, an abstraction, a projection, a lie, a symbol…and symbols don’t fart.
*
If I am nice in person and nasty in my writings it may be because in my dealings with my fellow men I may respect their limitations and ignorance, but in my writings I am merciless.
#
Friday, November 03, 2006
****************************************
FROM MY NOTEBOOKS
**************************************************
No one, not even bosses, bishops, and benefactors, is in a position to say his definition of Armenianism is the only valid one.
*
Like war, genocide is such a colossal blunder that it must be handled very carefully, even if it means attending it “by a bodyguard of lies” (Churchill).
*
Literature and big money don’t mix. I feel ill at ease in the presence of benefactors who are constitutionally incapable of respecting anyone they can hire and fire; and I can sense this contempt even in the presence of their flunkies who are, as a rule, less diplomatic in their dealings with “honorable beggars” (Baronian).
*
You may have noticed that smart Armenian operators hide their political loyalties. I remember once when I asked a friend to which party he belonged, he replied, “I am with the good guys.” No one believes me when I say I am not just non-partisan but anti-partisan. Shaw is right. The trouble with crooks is that they assume everyone is a crook.
*
Hating the enemy is easy. Trying to understand him much more difficult. I admire people who choose understanding. But I see something inconsistent in someone who pretends to understand his enemy but hates his own brother.
#
Saturday, November 04, 2006
*******************************************
VARIATIONS ON A FAVORITE THEME
************************************************
Literature is neither glorified gossip nor entertainment. Literature is more like a guerrilla campaign against a minority of cynical manipulators and a majority of unthinking underdogs who have a fatal admiration for all top dogs, including serial killers like Hitler and Stalin.
*
The greatest and most dangerous illusions are the infallibility of faith and the nobility of patriotism. To me, the statements “I am a man of faith, therefore I am wrong,” and “I am willing to die for my country, therefore I am a potential murderer,” are as valid as “I think, therefore I am.”
*
The source of wars and massacres is neither greed nor evil but love of God and Country.
*
Armenians who believe what their pundits and academics tell them resent it when Turks do the same thing.
*
Do your utmost to agree with those who disagree with you. Even if you learn nothing from them, you may learn tolerance, and tolerance is a far better means of acquiring wisdom than intolerance.
*
In time of war, fathers bury their sons. Under fascism, criminals jail law-abiding citizens.
#

[arabaliozian]

Re: notes / comments

********************************************
In my case, I happen to favor Armenians over Turks.
*************************************************

your counterpart in Turkey wil tell you, "I happen to favor Turks over Armenians." to contradict him you shall have no choice but to adopt the stance of an old garden-variety racist, yes?

[Anonymouse]

Re: notes / comments

********************************************
In my case, I happen to favor Armenians over Turks.
*************************************************

your counterpart in Turkey wil tell you, "I happen to favor Turks over Armenians." to contradict him you shall have no choice but to adopt the stance of an old garden-variety racist, yes?

Aside from dodging every point I made, what is your point?

[jgk3]

Re: notes / comments

yes.

[Anonymouse]

Re: notes / comments

There are different kinds of racism...

The one used by scientists in the 19th century to distinguish which ones are superior to others in their scheme of thought, and there's the "folk racism", which has existed since the dawn of man. This kind of racism is used to distinguish alien groups of people from themselves and to keep them out if they are undesired.

Hell, it probably stems from a similar need for other mammals to exclude from their clans or packs those from their species who are too different and undesired.

We can develop tolerance for those our racism can potentially victimize, but it can only go so far, so long as our natural need to attribute reasons for behavior on our unconscious stereotyping continues to remain an integral part of our human being.

Humans like to associate human traits with ethnic/cultural and/or geographical origins, I think the only way to break free from this (although perhaps momentarily) is to identify one's own potential to portray the behavior they identify with these "aliens". However, not everyone is always ready to see their potential to behave like "baboons", "cut-throats", "rats", etc... when they get these impressions from "aliens" and learn to stereotype them with these features.

Alot of good points kind sage, but I must remind you this is all wasted on the likes of Baliozian who is not accustomed to hearing the other side. To him, the supposed 'open mind', it is an all or nothing deal, it's either his way or the high way.

[jgk3]

Re: notes / comments

Maybe... but I'm less interested in persuading him to see it my way than to let him know my way of seeing it.

[Anonymouse]

Re: notes / comments

Maybe... but I'm less interested in persuading him to see it my way than to let him know my way of seeing it.

Isn't that the point? My point was not for persuading him, but to point out that he won't consider my way of seeing it.

[jgk3]

Re: notes / comments

I guess I should rephrase then... give him the opportunity to see it my way if he wishes?